Tim Irani earned his degree in Architecture from the University of San Francisco before working as a mobile product designer. These skills, along with a strong interest in the sciences, inform his artistic practice which contains visual elements of computer-generated imagery and pop art. Irani’s art showcases a playfully distorted, plant-clad built environment where technology and the natural world coexist in careful balance.
How influential has studying architecture been on your artistic practice?
I’ve always loved building and exploring worlds, both digitally and IRL. There’s something so satisfying about combining basic raw materials to synthesize a new, better whole. The interaction between nature and the built environment is the core narrative of my art. Studying architecture helped shape my understanding of three-dimensional space and I carried over a lot of what I learned in school into my current practice.
Tell us about your exploration of new biology.
Biology, as we know it, is in the process of a fundamental change. Human intervention is giving rise to the possibility of synthetic life forms, and I do believe at some point we will have to consider all intelligent life, both manmade and organic, as being under the umbrella of just ‘biology’. In my art, I play with the idea of combining organic life with synthetic, creating novel life forms that often share characteristics of both.
How does augmented reality influence your practice?
Augmented reality serves as another way of showing that synthetic life is being infused into our current reality. It’s also hinting at the profound psychological influence of digital goods and media in today’s world. Augmented and virtual realities have the power to elicit the same emotional responses as do real things; thus, it’s becoming harder and harder to differentiate between the two and AI is very much going to accelerate this process.
Can you explain your painting and sculpting process?
Sure! I generally start with a sketch, either analog or digital. From there, I typically take things into architectural software to gather better lighting/building information. Next, I’ll manipulate things further with digital sketching on top of the skeleton I’ve created. There is a continued back-and-forth between analog of digital painting/sketching as I slowly resolve the image. Every piece is a bit different though!
Which artists would you like to be in a group show with in the future?
I’d really love to be in a show with Henri Rousseau, I know that’s a long shot but I gotta aim high. His work is very influential to me.
Where internationally would you like to show?
To be honest, I really want to have a show in Los Angeles. My last three solos were abroad and it would be nice to have one near friends and family for once! If I had to pick, though, it would be Italy at the Venice Biennale.